Meet our new PhD-student, Ana

Ana Ines Rodrigues is the newest PhD-student to join the ArcInTexETN programme. Ana is usually placed at Heriot-Watt University, Galashiels (Edinburgh) but is currently doing her secondment at The Swedish School of Textiles in Borås.

It is WP4, and more specifically textile structures for adaptive and responsive clothing, that will be Ana’s focus in her research. We asked Ana to tell us a bit more about her subject.

– My project is about auxetic structures. I know that the word sounds a bit strange but it is actually a very interesting topic. Auxetic structures are structures that when stretched in one direction expand in the perpendicular direction. So these structures actually do the opposite of what is considered normal.

– My goal is to design, develop and construct auxetic structures in order to test their behaviors, and optimise the material they make. Another goal is to develop techniques to attach them to fabrics and investigate their use as they are, with or without attaching.

How did you get in touch with the ArcInTexETN programme?

– One of my best friends is already taking her PhD at Heriot-Watt University. She knew about the scholarship and sent me the link to apply. At the time I didn’t know that it was for the ArcInTexETN programme. I only knew that at the interview. I’m glad it was.

What do you think are the benefits of studying in different countries?

– Oh my god! The amount of collaboration, networking, and exchange of ideas is insane. It’s like being in a completely different world. Help comes from everywhere. Ideas, collaborations, suggestions, papers exchanges, people from other backgrounds can reach you and help you discover new pathways for your research – things you would never realise if left on your own.

How has the involvement in an EU-project enriched your research?

– EU-projects help early stage researchers [ESR] like me to find their ways in between the already existing researchers. These projects help young researchers to expand their network and help the exchange of ideas so that their research can grow in every way possible.